92 THE GARDENEE. |_ Feb - 



of loam and peat — one an acid soil, the other an alkaline one, which must in 

 time produce a sour mixture. Forced in spring, dry or deluged by rain, as it 

 may happen, in summer, exposed to the heavy dews and rains of autumn, and 

 then treated to the dry and perhaps hot atmosphere of a vinery, is it any wonder 

 the poor plants look miserable? Pot in sandy fresh turf; never give heat more 

 than is required to keep out frost ; keep them, if possible, in the house all the 

 year, and if not possible, have a roof of some kind over them, to preserve them 

 from heavy rains. "When they require potting, let it be done immediately they 

 are out of bloom. When they require watering, be sure that every particle of 

 soil is soaked. Keep the foliage as clean as a well-washed face, and you will have 

 no trouble to keep Camellias from dropping their buds.—/. B. Pearson, Gardeners' 

 Chronicle. 1 



REVIEWS. 



The Amateur Gardener's Calendar, being a Monthly Guide as to what should 

 be avoided, as well as what should be done, in a Garden in each Month. By 

 Mr Loudon. Revised and edited by William Robinson, F. L. S. With num- 

 erous illustrations. London : F. Warne & Co. 



About this iiseful work there is, as the title indicates, both a positive and a 

 negative value. It is highly important to know what to do in a garden, but it is 

 equally valuable to know what should not be done. This book gives very full and 

 comprehensive rules for all amateur gardeners ; and by means of Mr Robinson's 

 valuable labours in revising the work, all that modern acquisitions have brought 

 home to us is here presented in great part, either in the form of copious de- 

 tails or of suggestive hints. The preface states that "the directions given 

 are chiefly adapted to the climate of the neighbourhood of London, but they are 

 almost equally applicable in all other parts of the country, except, of course, at 

 elevations where gardening is rarely and with difficulty practiced." Amateur 

 gardeners will find in this work one of the best books of reference they could 

 have near them at all seasons of the year ; and in addition to the mass of practi- 

 cal information relating directly to gardening, there is so much of incidental 

 matter thrown in that the natural -history student especially could draw im- 

 portant aids from it. There are 370 pages of matter, interspersed with numerous 

 illustrations. It is nicely bound, and altogether well got up. 



The Garden Oracle for 1870. Edited by Shirley Hibberd, F.R.H.S. 

 London : Groombridge & Sons. 



That this useful yearly issue should have reached the twelfth year of publica- 

 tion is about the best evidence of the way in which it is appreciated. It contains 

 very much of that particular information at all times so useful ; and in addition 

 to carefully-prepared lists of new fruits, plants, and flowei-s of the year, the 

 editor has added valuable lists of selections of plants for 1870, a feature of much 

 value to the amateur cultivator. In a characteristic postscript at the end of the 

 volume, but which is really an amusing preface, the editor sketches the leading 

 features of the book, and we need scarcely say it will be read by every purchaser. 



